Cooperative Living November/December 2017 - 17

Both Crockett and Mark Pruitt, who
operates the ferry from Onancock to Tangier,
recall one memorable incident from their
youth and tell the same story hours apart
from each other.
Most Tangier boys used a cotton rope as
the fuse for their fireworks. This rope was
called a " punk " and served as tinder for the
fireworks. One boy, referred to as " Nah, "
had his rope in the same pocket as his
fireworks when the punk was somehow
ignited and reached the fireworks. Crockett
and Pruitt recall with much laughter that
from then on, the boy was known as
" Punk in the Pocket, Pow, Pow. "
Though almost 10 years apart in age,
Crockett and Pruitt also recall another
holiday tradition that continues today
with some variation.
Crockett calls it " New Year's Giving, " which
takes place on New Year's Day, when young
boys go from house to house on the island,
much like trick-or-treating on Halloween,
and ask for gifts of money. Today, girls have
joined the tradition.
Pruitt says some homeowners wouldn't
let a " light-haired boy " enter the house.
" If a light-haired boy came to the door,
they would shoo him away because it was
bad luck to let him in, " says Crockett, with
a waving motion of his hands.
Crockett remembers the first boy to enter
the house had to be a dark-haired boy. " That
first boy was brought in the house and led
from room to room for good luck in the
coming year, " says Crockett. " After that, it
was okay to let the light-haired boy in and
give him some change. "
Tangier also holds an annual Christmas
parade put on by the town's fire company.
Since there are only about 15 vehicles on the
island, adults decorate their golf carts and
children spruce up their bicycles to compete
for cash prizes awarded by the judges. Most
residents not in the parade watch the
participants pass by on the narrow streets.
HOLLY RUN BEGINS
CHRISTMAS FOR ISLAND
The Christmas season on Tangier really kicks
off when as many as 50 airplanes land on the
island's tiny airstrip on the first Saturday in
December, bringing evergreens for decorations.
Now called the " Holly Run, " the tradition
began 49 years ago when Ed Nabb, a
Cambridge, Maryland, attorney who often
visited Tangier to patronize his favorite
sandwich shop, realized the holly trees and
evergreens were no longer available because
of rising waters.
In 1968, acting alone, he loaded up his
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November-December 2017 | Cooperative Living | 15
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1. Tangier youth excitedly open
gifts brought by Santa on the
annual Holly Run.
2. Ed Parks believes Tangier
celebrates Christmas a bit more
than most places.
3. Church Christmas pageants
are presented each year.
4. Denny Crockett recalls one
memorable firecracker incident
from his youth.
5. The Rev. John Flood of Swain
United Methodist Church.
6. Planes that leave a Maryland
airport make their way to
Tangier for the annual Holly
Run that provides greenery to
the island.
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BILL STERLING PHOTO
JAY DIEM PHOTO
KAREN HELFERT PHOTO
BILL STERLING PHOTO
JOAN THOMAS PHOTO
JOHN MULVEY PHOTO
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Cooperative Living November/December 2017

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